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Volunteer

Did you know Medicare requires that at least 5% of our clinical labor budget must be performed by volunteers? 

Probably not; most people don’t. That’s because hospice is unique in that it is the only organization with such a requirement. The scope of services offered by the Pennyroyal Hospice is greatly expanded by our trained compassionate and dedicated volunteers.  Hospice volunteers receive specialized training to assist the patients and their families with various activities or to stay with the patient so that caregivers can take care of personal business, shop for groceries, go to an appointment, enjoy social engagements, or just to get some rest.  Volunteers also provide a wide range of administrative support services.  Training is provided regularly at the Pennyroyal Hospice, Inc. at no cost to the volunteers.

Why volunteer for Pennyroyal Hospice, Inc.?

Some volunteer because they know hospice is an organization that does good things for people. Most people volunteer because they have personally benefitted from receiving hospice care for a loved one. They are grateful and want to respond by giving something in return. Someone once said, “What you have been given as a gift – give as a gift”, but love can never be paid back – only passed on. And that’s exactly what our volunteers do!

What are some of things a volunteer can do to help?

From a spiritual/psychological perspective, the volunteer is the only member of the team who comes to the patient with no agenda, who is not there to evaluate, but rather comes as a friend. This friendship approach is deeply important to our patients and their families. As a volunteer for the Pennyroyal Hospice, you might:

• Provide respite for the caregiver by sitting with the patient for a couple of hours
• Listen to the patient tell about their life / Read to the patient / Hold a hand 
• Provide a light meal / Shop for groceries / Drive a patient to an appointment 
• Build a ramp / Do minor repairs 
• Provide administrative assistance at the office / Assist with special projects

Volunteer Training

The two-day volunteer training sessions are free of charge and lunch is provided.  Training normally takes place at our administrative offices in Hopkinsville, but we'll come to your location if you have a group that would like to take the training.

We welcome anyone interested in volunteering to call us for more information about how you can help as a hospice volunteer.

Please contact our volunteer coordinator Paulette Anderson at panderson@pennyroyalhospice.com for more information, or call:

toll free: 1.888.611.0121
local office: 270.885.6428 

We would love to share the Hospice experience with you.  We hope you'll consider joining our team of trained volunteers!